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Bisbee, Arizona audit leads to cost savings
By Deborah Patton, RCAC environmental rural development specialist
Bisbee, Arizona is in southern Arizona about 10
miles from the Mexico border. Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) collaborated
with Great Lakes Rural Community Assistance Partnership (GLRCAP) and conducted
a level-two energy audit for the City of Bisbee and identified potential energy
conservation opportunities.
The City of Bisbee’s Wastewater Treatment facility
was commissioned in 2006 and uses cost saving technology. However, for Bisbee
to apply for funding to improve the facility, an energy audit was required.
Through the audit, RCAC and GLRCAP identified energy conservation opportunities
that would result in a 7.2 percent reduction to the utility’s 15-year energy
budget. Although, the cost savings for the facility were modest compared to savings
identified for older facilities, the 7.2percent expense reduction was welcomed
news for the city. The local economy still suffers the effects of lay-offs at
local mines and the closures of various businesses.
The energy conservation measures will save the city $8,960
a year through 2027. The savings will reduce the current operating budget and the
benefits will compound to produce a 15-year gross savings of approximately
$134,000. The cost of the identified energy conservation improvements will be
$41,345; leaving the facility with net savings $93,000 over 15 years. The Bisbee
facility will use the savings for capital improvements; strengthening their emergency
fund; and hold community education events. Through this work, RCAC has
continued to expand its relationship with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
(ADEQ) and develop further relationships with the City of Bisbee. The City of
Bisbee also has asked RCAC to help explore funding opportunities for its wastewater
facility.
For more information on RCAC energy audits, visit
our website.